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Thus, we inferred that the low representation of Methanosphaera s

Thus, we inferred that the low representation of Methanosphaera stadtmanae may be due to the predominant presence of Methanocorpusculum labreanum, or because of the small quantity of methanol produced by the fermentation of plant material in the hindgut of the white rhinoceroses, which needs to be further studied. Based on calculations derived from in vitro studies and domestic ruminants, the growth of gut methanogens has been postulated to be a limiting factor in large herbivore digestive physiology [39]. For example, the relatively fast passage rates in elephants, the largest extant terrestrial mammal, have been interpreted in part as https://www.selleckchem.com/products/ink128.html a counter-measure against the danger of

disproportional methanogen growth [37]. However, for some smaller mammalian or reptilian herbivores, the food particle retention times surpass the 4-day threshold postulated by Van Soest (1994). In these species, the fermentation products are better absorbed and not available as substrate for slow-growing methanogens. Therefore, we speculate that the particular species of methanogens found in the hindgut of the white rhinoceros may be well suited in these large herbivores and play an unique role during the fermentation of the plant materials. Further studies on the function PF-02341066 nmr of these methanogen species are needed. In the present study,

the majority of methanogen sequences showed a closer relationship to uncharacterized clones in the equine hindgut. W-Rhino8 (assigned to OTU-2) was closely related to a methanogenic clone from the hindgut of the horse. All phylotypes belonging to OTU-5

and 15 phylotypes from OTU-7 were also related (96.9%) to an uncultured archaeal clone from the hindgut of a pony. In a previous Enzalutamide clinical trial study, the horse was identified as an appropriate model when designing diets for captive animals such as large hindgut fermenters, elephants or rhinoceroses [40]. It is also been reported that the Indian rhinoceros BAY 57-1293 concentration resembles the domestic horse in most digestive characteristics, despite the immense body size difference between the species [1]. Interestingly, rhinoceroses and horses are both odd-toed ungulates belonging to the order Perissodactyla. Thus, the closer phylogenetic relationship of methanogenic species between rhinoceroses and horses may be associated with the common characteristics of their GIT (i.e. microbial habitat). Our library also uncovered some unidentified archaeal sequences belonging to OTU-2, OTU-3 and OTU-4. The sequences were only 87.8% to 88.4% similar to Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis, a new methanogen recently isolated from human stool [41] and belonging to the newly proposed order Methanoplasmatales [24]. Conclusions In conclusion, the white rhinoceros harbors a unique fecal community of methanogens distinct from other animals, but with more similarity to horses and ponies.